Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
Previously on Supernatural-"Yes sir" Dean replied with a smile. Hanging up the phone he raced over to the couch. "Did you hear that, Sammy? Dad's coming home!"
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"Dean, who was on the phone?" Bobby asked as he walked back into the living room depositing Aaron on his blanket.
"Dad! I told him about Sammy and he said to tell you he's coming!" Dean excitedly announced jumping up to sit beside his little brother. Taking Spot off the table he "walked" the stuffed animal up Sam's arm and onto his shoulder. "Everything's gonna be okay now, Sammy. Daddy's coming home!" he squeaked in a high pitched voice before leaning the dog over to "kiss" the little boy's cheek.
"Thank God!" Bobby thought. "Maybe John can figure this mess out." Running a hand through his beard he sat down on the couch next to Sammy as he watched Dean moving the stuffed animal around and talking trying to break his little brother out of the shell he'd gone into. Unable to stand seeing John's youngest so still and quiet Bobby glanced around the room searching for some way to help them get through to the little boy. Spotting the boys' toy cars on the mantle he quickly walked over and retrieved them. After grabbing a few large books off a nearby shelf, Bobby went back and sat down on the floor in front of the coffee table. Setting the cars down he took the books and carefully leaned them against the leg of the table making a pair of ramps. He glanced over at Aaron finding the baby happily playing with his toys and then turned to the boys on the couch. Pasting on a smile he called, "Hey boys! Wanna race? Betcha my car can bet yours!"
"Not a chance, Uncle Bobby" Dean replied with a smirk. Setting the dog on the couch he slid off. "Come on Sammy! Let's go show Uncle Bobby that he can't beat us!" Walking over he sat down beside the older man and took one of the cars. Setting it at the top of the book next to Bobby's car he said, "One, two, three, go!" and sent his car down the track beating Bobby's to the finish by inches.
"I'll get ya this time, Dean!" Bobby declared as he set his car back on top of the books. He waited until Dean released his car and then let go of his own to make sure the little boy's car would win. He ran a couple more races with Dean before glancing at Sammy out of the corner of his eye hoping to see some sign that they had captured the youngster's attention. Sighing as he noticed that Sammy was still staring blankly ahead Bobby turned back to Dean.
"It's not working, Uncle Bobby" Dean whispered gazing over at his little brother.
"Give it time, Dean" Bobby suggested. "We just started playing."
"Alright" Dean replied setting his car back up. "But I don't think this is gonna work."
An hour later Bobby finally decided Dean was right. Sammy hadn't so much as twitched the entire time they had laughed and joked and pretended to have a good time. Noticing that it was almost lunchtime Bobby got up and stretched. "Dean, can you watch Sammy and Aaron for me?" he asked. "I'm gonna go fix us something for lunch."
"Sure Uncle Bobby" Dean replied walking over to the couch and sitting next to his little brother. Picking up the stuffed dog he started talking to Sammy once more.
"Be right back" Bobby assured. Taking one last look at all his charges he hurried into the kitchen to make a fast lunch.
A little while later
"Come on Sammy, just a little bite? Please?" Dean pleaded holding a spoonful of mac and cheese in front of the little boy's mouth. "Please Sammy? For me?" he added when his brother refused to open his mouth. Getting no response Dean slammed the spoon onto the plate. Snatching up the uneaten plate of food he stomped into the kitchen and dropped it on the table.
"No luck getting him to eat?" Bobby questioned as he fed Aaron another mouthful of lunch.
"No sir" Dean replied kicking the table leg in frustration. "He won't even open his mouth. Just sits there staring at the wall, and I don't know what to do! How to bring him back! What am I gonna do, Uncle Bobby? Tell me what to do."
"I wish I knew Dean" Bobby softly said as he wrapped his arms around the little boy holding Dean as he began to tremble. "I wish I knew. Just hang in there a little bit longer, kiddo. Your dad's coming and he'll fix things."
Dean fisted his hands in Bobby's shirt clinging to his uncle as the situation finally caught up with him and a tide of emotions flowed through him.
Bobby held onto Dean offering comfort to the distraught boy. He stood quietly trying to think of something to say or do to assure John's oldest that his little brother would be alright. Hearing the distant rumble of the impala's engine he smiled. "Dean, your dad's back." He softly whispered patting the boy's back.
Letting go of Bobby's shirt Dean stepped back quickly wiping his eyes. "Sorry Uncle Bobby" he apologized before turning and racing out of the room.
"Nothing to be sorry for" Bobby muttered shaking his head as he scooped up Aaron and followed Dean into the living room. He took a seat in the recliner just as the front door opened and John Winchester stormed inside.
John walked into his friend's house eyes searching out his boys. Spotting Sammy sitting silently on the couch he hurried over pulling Dean into a one armed hug on the way. Dropping onto the couch beside his youngest John carded his hand through his son's long locks. "Sammy, what's a matter?" he asked frowning when his little boy didn't look at him or respond in any way. Letting go of Dean for a moment he reached over and picked up Sam setting him in his lap. Pulling his baby back to lie against his chest John wrapped an arm around both his boys. "Sammy, tell daddy what's wrong?" he instructed staring down at his silent son. "Come on Sammy, talk to daddy."
"Yeah, Sammy. Dad's home. Everything's okay now." Dean added patting his little brother's knee. Getting no reply Dean looked up at his father for help.
Gently rubbing a hand up and down his youngest's arm John shared a worried look with Dean. "Come on buddy, you're starting to scare daddy." He pleaded kissing Sammy's forehead. When his son still failed to acknowledge his presence, John glanced around the room. "Bobby, where's the rocking chair?" he asked focusing back on the little boy in his lap.
"It's back in my room." Bobby replied looking confused. "Why?"
"Go get it" John ordered not taking his attention away from Sammy.
"Sure Johnny" Bobby agreed. He set Aaron back on his blanket and hurried down the hall coming back minutes later with the rocking chair in tow. "Here you go" he said as he set the chair down in its spot by the fireplace.
"Thanks" John replied as he stood and carried Sammy over to the chair. Sitting down he settled Sammy in his lap once more and slowly started to rock back and forth whispering to Sammy as he rocked.
Dean watched from the couch as his dad comforted his little brother waiting for any sign that what his dad was doing was working. He didn't have to wait long. A few minutes after they started rocking Sammy's hand slowly reached up grabbing a handful of John's shirt. "Dad, look! He moved!" Dean shouted.
Nodding at Dean John continued to rock and murmur assurances to his youngest son. He kept his attention focused on Sammy watching and waiting for his baby to come back the rest of the way. An hour later John was tired and growing more worried by the second. Sighing he glanced over at Dean and Bobby before running a weary hand through his hair. Looking back down he found Sammy's wide eyes staring at him. "Hey, Sammy" he said smiling. That smile fell as tears starting streaming down the littlest Winchester's face. "What's wrong, Sammy? What's a matter?" he questioned scooping up his son. Standing he laid Sam's head on his shoulder rubbing the little boy's back as Sammy's crying became louder. "Shhh, it's alright Sammy, Daddy's got you" John whispered over and over as he paced across the room.
"Dad, what's going on? Why's Sammy crying?" Dean questioned as he walked beside his father and brother.
"I don't know son" John replied looking down at his youngest as his sobs grew causing him to gasp for breath. "Shhh, it's okay buddy, it's okay. Dean and daddy are right here." He assured as he sat back down in the rocker and motioned for Dean to climb up in his lap. Setting Sammy down on the other side of his lap John began to softly sing Mary's favorite lullaby as he slowly rocked both his boys. "Sleep, my love, and peace attend thee all through the night. Guardian angels God will lend thee all through the night."
Bobby looked on in awe as Sammy's crying gradually decreased until only the occasional hiccup or sniffle was heard. Feeling like he was intruding on a private family moment he tiptoed across the room, scooped up Aaron, and quietly left the room.
After putting Aaron down for a nap, rearranging all the clothes in his drawers and closet, and spending an hour reading one of the dullest books known to mankind, Bobby checked on the baby one last time and then headed out the door. He walked down the hall and peeked into the living room smiling as he caught sight of all three Winchesters fast asleep in the rocking chair. Grabbing the old throw off the back of the couch he tenderly placed it over the sleeping family careful not to wake them. Turning Bobby silently made his way into the kitchen. Pulling open the cabinet he took out two cans of soup and his mixing bowl. After pouring the soup in the bowl, he grabbed the sour cream and shredded cheese out of the fridge adding them to the mix. He added a few more ingredients before taking his wooden spoon and stirring them mixing them together. Once that was finished Bobby turned on the oven and took out a long casserole dish. Dumping the mixture into the dish he spread it out evenly, poured crushed corn flakes and melted butter on top, and stuck it in the oven. Grabbing a cup of coffee Bobby sat down at the table and peered into the other room. Hopefully a certain little somebody would be ready for a good meal when he woke up.
AN- The song lyrics are from the old Christmas song "All Through the Night"